Graduate Fashion Week took place this week, with the top prize - the River Island Gold Award - going to Rebecca Thomson from the Manchester University School of Art (pictured). The prize was judged and presented by Alberta Ferretti, Kim Jones, Lorraine Candy, editor-in-chief of Elle, GQ Editor Dylan Jones and Naomi Dominique; title sponsor River Island’s Womenswear Design Director. The judging criteria for the River Island Gold Award outlined that the collection should demonstrate exceptional ability in Design, Cut and Construction as well as excellent use of colour and fabric. Rhea Fields from Northbrook College was the successful winner of the Womenswear Award. She was selected for her award by the panel of Gold Award judges. The panel also selected Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne as the winner of the menswear award. Hosted by Caryn Franklin, this year’s Graduate Fashion Week Gala show celebrated its 19th anniversary and saw an array of fashion figures lending support to the event including Erin O’Connor, Zandra Rhodes, Nicola Roberts, Emma Hill (Mulberry), Jeff Banks (President, Graduate Fashion Week), Terry Mansfield CBE (Chairman, Graduate Fashion Week) and Harold Tillman (Chairman, British Fashion Council). Support from the GFW Mentoring Panel will be offered to all Graduate Fashion Week winners. The complete list of winners is shown below:The River Island Gold Award - Rebecca Thomson from Manchester University School of Art.
Womenswear Award - Rhea Fields from Northbrook College
Menswear Award - Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne
Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award - Anna Lee from De Montfort
Bhm Knitwear Visionary Knitwear Award - Ledina Zhang from Northumbria.
Hammerson Fashion Innovation Award - Katie Burkes and Susie O’Brien.
The Mulberry Accessories Award - Kitty Keay from Colchester School of Art.
Textiles Award - Natalie Murray from Northumbria University.
The Hachette Filipacchi Media and Design Award - Alice Barnes from Northumbria University.
The Lyle & Scott Strategic Marketing Award - Amy Quickfall, from Northumbria
Per Aquum Creative Marketing Award - Jessica Dance from the Arts University at Bournemouth
Stand Design Award - The Arts University College at Bournemouth
Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio Award - Ellie Mountford from the Arts University College Bournemouth.
The "First Word" Journalism Award - Ellen Devall from the Colchester School of Art
